Healthy Aging Fair 2025 In Manhattan Drew Nearly 1,000: Strength, Yoga, Dance Classes, Playing Games, Essential Screenings: UPDATED

NYC Aging Hosts Healthy Aging Fair 2025

An estimated 700+ older New Yorkers to learn new ways to keep their bodies and minds fit

City agencies and community organizations to give demonstrations and provide information to help attendees continue living in their communities

Editor’s note: We covered this event last year, where New Yorkers from around the city came to join in and participate in many interactive dances and other events.  NYC’s Department For The Aging also recently released their State Of Older New Yorkers report, which showed that many residents over 65 are struggling to afford basic necessities, including rent, food, and healthcare.  Their Farmers Market Nutrition Program aims to connect older New Yorkers with fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetables, which can assist them in leading healthier lives.  

Videos and photos were provided by the Dept for the Aging, and the video will be added below when it is ready:

New York, NY – The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) will host its second annual Healthy Aging Fair on Wednesday, September 17. Coinciding with Healthy Aging and Falls Prevention Month, the Fair will take place at the health and sports facility Asphalt Green, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The City offers many opportunities for older New Yorkers to stay physically and mentally fit. This Healthy Aging Fair brings many of these programs and services to one place, to promote and educate residents about opportunities in their communities.

Participants will be able to take part in strength, dance, and yoga classes, and play games, while exploring 70 tables from different organizations. Offerings include flu shots and screenings such as dental, hearing, cholesterol, and blood pressure. In addition, there will be home safety and falls prevention information, mental health resources, and nutrition information. City agencies will also be present to provide information about the programs they offer across the city to help residents remain healthy. Representatives of the Adams Administration, community-based organizations, and elected officials are also expected to attend.

Below is the post-event release from the Department for the Aging:

NYC Aging Hosts Second Annual Healthy Aging Fair

Nearly 1000 Older New Yorkers attended the Healthy Aging Fair to promote healthy lifestyles and increase awareness about resources and supports available in every community

New York, NY – During National Healthy Aging Month and National Falls Prevention Month, The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) hosted its second annual Healthy Aging Fair today at Asphalt Green on the upper east side of Manhattan. Nearly 1,000 older adults attended the Fair to learn about what makes the city a great place to age. Participants joined in physical fitness classes, received a variety of health screenings including dental, hearing, cholesterol and blood pressure. They also learned about the services available in their communities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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The Healthy Aging Fair featured 70 tables where attendees received information on best practices to stay vigorous, healthy, and safe. There were also several activities, including yoga, dance, and strength classes, games were played all day, and many attendees took advantage of the photo booth.

“Today’s Healthy Aging Fair elevates supports from heart health to mental health and so much in between,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Suzanne Miles-Gustave. “Thank you to NYC Aging and all our partners for putting together such a welcoming, warm, and resource rich event that touches so many New Yorkers and their families.

“The Healthy Aging Fair brought together older adults and organizations from across the city to show that living a healthy lifestyle is possible right in our own communities,” said NYC Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “The community care model we implement allows older New Yorkers to continue living close to their family and friends. Whether it’s a physical fitness class, mental health support or signing up for the right health insurance, today’s Fair showed that once again, the city is here for its older residents.”

“Great health care begins in our communities, and through NYC Aging we are lucky to have a deep network of community support and connections for older New Yorkers across our city,” said Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice President for Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “Events like the Healthy Aging Fair connect older New Yorkers directly to community resources and activities that make a real difference in their daily lives, and of course to all the critical health care services provided by NYC Health + Hospitals. We are proud to partner with NYC Aging and support our shared commitment to making sure older adults have access to all the resources they need to stay active, independent, and thriving.”

Ensuring older adults in New York City stay healthy is vital, as is ensuring that they feel a sense of community and belonging. This Fair does just that, educating and offering opportunities to live a healthy lifestyle, while highlighting a community of older New Yorkers that enriches our city.” Dr. Zahirah McNatt, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Commissioner in the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW)

“At Asphalt Green, our mission is to transform lives and build community through sports, fitness, and play for all because we believe people of all ages and abilities deserve to experience the transformative benefits of exercise. Partners like the Department of Aging make our goal possible by joining us in creating accessible opportunities for New Yorkers to get active. This year’s Healthy Aging Fair is a prime example, showcasing how Asphalt Green and other health and wellness organizations can collaborate to support our city’s older adults.” Jordan Brackett, Chief Executive Officer, Asphalt Green

“NYU Langone Health is proud to have the No. 1-ranked geriatrics program and to care for older adults in our community,” said Elizabeth Golden, Executive Vice President for Communications, Marketing, Government and Community Affairs at NYU Langone Health. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support this event, which brings people together to stay active, connected, and informed at every stage of life.”

“At Con Edison, we’re committed to protecting our customers, especially older New Yorkers who are often targeted by scammers. By teaming up with the NYC Department for the Aging, we can reach more people with the information and tools they need to spot fraud and protect themselves. This partnership is about more than awareness—it’s about empowering our communities to stay safe.”  Ruth Fasoldt, Con Edison Director of Government & Community Relations

“Hisamitsu America Inc. is delighted to participate in the NYC Healthy Aging Fair and distribute Salonpas topical analgesic patches to promote the health of New York’s older adults. We hope that Salonpas will help them enjoy healthier and happier lives.”  Yoshiyuki Saegusa, Director – Business Development

“Our program is designed to educate and protect our communities—especially the most vulnerable populations—against fraud and scams. Fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and those most at risk—older adults, small business owners, immigrants, and individuals with limited access to financial education—are often the hardest hit. We strive to insert ourselves into as many communities as possible as these scams will consistently evolve, and education is key to protect your identity and financial assets,” said Christopher Blackmore, Senior Manager of Fraud Education for TD Bank.

“Aetna Better Health of New York and Aetna, a CVS Health Company, are proud to support The Healthy Aging Fair on September 17th at Asphalt Green.” Samir Kalra, Senior Account Manager – Business Development

“Senior Whole Health of New York is proud to partner with NYC Aging to support older adults,” says Cheryl Parris, Assistant Vice President of Healthcare Services, Molina Healthcare. “Our programs deliver coordinated care at home and in the community, while also combating isolation through social connection initiatives. We link members to local programs, volunteer opportunities, and support networks. Our goal is to provide a full circle of care that supports both physical and mental health.”

TRANSCRIPT: MAYOR ADAMS DELIVERS REMARKS AT NYC AGING’S HEALTHY AGING FAIR

Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, Department of Aging: We have a fantastic event. I am so proud to be here again at Asphalt Green with NYC Aging, again promoting healthy aging. That’s what it’s about. It’s an age-inclusive city and a very healthy city. 

But I’ll talk to you later because I’ve got someone here who really wants to say hello. And who has been one of the strongest advocates for older adults. I want you to know that our budget at New York City Aging, and we all know that it was never large enough, has doubled with this administration. 

This mayor has committed himself to older adults. So much so that we’re going to have a campaign promoting anti-ageism and making sure that we’re an age-integrated city. And that our youth and our older people are treasured and respected together. 

And with that, I’m going to give you the man who made that possible. No one other than our mayor, Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: I really want to thank the Department of Aging and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez for what she has done. And this community means so much to me because everyone that knows me knows that I am a certified mama’s boy. I love my mother. You know, I lost her, but I still feel her presence. And I know what you have done for the city. 

Everyone now is talking about the power of young people, the power of young people, the power of young people. Listen, I got that. I got that what the future is. But I know what is possible now because of our aging and older adults community. You are the only consistent voter in the country. Only consistent voters. You’re not a fly-by-night, come back and forth. 

You are consistent because you’re concerned about the things that really make a city vibrant. Safety, supporting our law enforcement, educating our children, affordable housing, making sure that we can get the services that we need and deserve. And that’s what this administration understood. And that’s why we put together the Older Adult Cabinet, so we can hear directly from you on how city agencies can deliver for you. 

I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing for the city, what you have done for the city, and what you’re going to do in the future for the city. And Asphalt Green, I pass by here all the time. There’s always something exciting that’s happening here. This is a great partnership between the city and a great organization. So let’s keep living healthy. 

Many of you know my journey. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My doctor said I was going to lose my sight in a year. I was going to lose some fingers and toes. I decided to get into a healthier lifestyle, and because of that I’m able to look and see you today and able to walk and communicate. We can live a healthy lifestyle moving into our 80s, into our 90s, and into our 100. 

Don’t let anyone tell you just because of your year that you are living that you must stop living a healthy lifestyle. Engaging, interacting, dealing with health prevention is crucial, and that is what this is all about. 

So thank you to all our partners, and I see my assemblywoman is here as well. Let me turn it over to you and say a few more words before we come on. You cannot get a better partner in this area. But thank you so much. Turn it over to the assemblywoman right now.

State Assemblymember Rebecca A. Seawright: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and commissioner. It’s great to be here. You’re in the 76th Assembly District. I want to invite all of you to stop by my storefront office at 79th and York. As chair of the New York State Assembly Aging Committee, we are fighting for you in Albany. And I want to welcome all of you to this wonderful fair today for seniors provided by Mayor Adams and his great team. Thank you all.

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez: And now we want to thank our partners because it is about partnerships that make a strong city, Asphalt Green.

Jordan Brackett, CEO, Asphalt Green: Thank you so much, commissioner. I am Jordan Brackett, the CEO of Asphalt Green. At Asphalt Green, we transform lives and build community through sports, fitness, and play for all. Every day we serve over 20,000 people. Every year we give out over $10 million in free programming with the idea that everyone in this city deserves to have their lives transformed through sports and fitness. 

The mayor is an absolute inspiration about how he transformed his life through sports and fitness. And that’s why we are so proud to partner with the Department for the Aging and others to give out hundreds of free older adult memberships every year and to work with the Department for the Aging to make sure that every older adult in the city has access to sports fitness. So thank you so much for being here.

Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez: All right, and let the fun begin. Thank you all very much.

Banner Image: Healthy Aging Fair 2024. Image Credit – NYC Department for the Aging